N3bn Fraud: Court Hears Ali Bello, Others’ Bail Application Today

Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned to today hearing on the bail application filed by Ali Bello and three others on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On 8th February, 2023, Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned hearing on the bail application filed by the defendants after they had pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charge filed against them by the anti-graft agency.

At the resumed sitting yesterday, counsel to the defendants, Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that the EFCC had filed a counter affidavit to the bail application.

The EFCC’s counter affidavit, which was filed last Friday, was not in the court’s file and the registry of the court.

The EFCC however claimed that it was mistakenly taken to another court, specifically, Court 7.

Justice Egwuatu said there were no copies of the counter affidavit in his record.

Consequently, the court adjourned the matter to today for hearing of the bail application.

The court proceedings revealed that Governor Yahaya Bello’s wife, Mrs Rasheedat Bello, was not a defendant in the matter as against the EFCC’s press release by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

Contrary to insinuations that yesterday’s sitting was for the ruling on the EFCC case against Ali Bello and three others, it was for the hearing on the bail application filed by the defendants.